Anju is a general term for a Korean side dish consumed with alcohol (often with Korean soju

Soju

Soju is a distilled beverage native to Korea. Its taste is comparable to vodka, though often slightly sweeter due to sugars added in the manufacturing process, and more commonly consumed neat.Most brands of soju are made in South Korea...

). Some of these side dishes can also be ordered as an appetizer or a main dish. These side dishes are different from the banchan

Banchan

Banchan refers to small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in Korean cuisine. This word is used both in the singular and plural....

side dishes served with a regular Korean meal. Some examples of anju are: fried chicken, dried squid with gochujang

Gochujang

Gochujang is a savory and pungent fermented Korean condiment. Traditionally, it has been naturally fermented over years in large earthen pots outdoors, more often on an elevated stone platform, called jangdokdae in the backyard...

, assorted fruits, dubu kimchi

Dubu kimchi

Dubu kimchi is a Korean dish consisting of sauteed kimchi served with tofu. Boiled or pan-fried sliced tofu and the kimchi are often served with sliced pork or canned tuna...

(tofu with kimchi), or peanuts.

Anju are usually served at bars, restaurants, and karaoke

Karaoke

is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...

 establishments which serve alcohol. In many drinking establishments throughout Korea, the purchase of accompanying anju is required if ordering alcoholic drinks.

See also

• Tapas
  Tapas
  Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm ....
  
  
• Mezze
• Zakuski
  Zakuski
  A zakuski is a kind of traditional Russian hors d'oeuvre served before meals. Usually presented buffet style, it often consists of cured meats and fishes, various pickled vegetables such as beets, cucumbers, and garlic, mixed salads, caviar, and breads.These appetizers are often present at parties...
  
  
• Sakana
  Sakana
  or is a Japanese term referring to food eaten as an accompaniment to alcohol. Sakana may also be referred to as otsumami; this term usually applies to smaller dishes...
  
  
• Korean cuisine
• List of Korean dishes